Chelsea are in search of a successor to their right-back Cesar Azpilicueta who looks set to join FC Barcelona in the coming weeks. Their search has taken them to Italy, identifying Atalanta’s Joakim Maehle as a potential target.
Atalanta spent £12 million in January last year on the acquisition of Maehle from Aalborg BK. The Dane has emerged on the radar of the Blues after impressing for the Italian side in his one-and-a-half seasons with them.
Maehle has played 60 games so far for Atalanta, starting 38 of them while cementing his place in the starting eleven. The 25-year-old right-back is eyed as a perfect replacement for 32-year-old Azpilicueta, both skill wise as well as age wise.
Difficult operation for Chelsea to land Maehle this summer
The Denmark right-back has been center to Atalanta’s system since arriving in winter last year. The club as a result has tied down Maehle to a long-term contract which still has three years left on it.
However, Thomas Tuchel believes Maehle perfectly fits in his system, and could fill in the void which would be left by Azpilicueta is he move to Barcelona this summer.
The wing-back has flourished more in a back-three or back-five system, which is preferred by Tuchel. In his 36 games in the Serie A last season, Maehle’s attacking potent was exciting to watch.
The Dane managed an impressive 1.1 shot-creating actions, 4.8 presses, 2 progressive passes and 2.6 carries into the attacking-third per game.
Maehle was also crucial to Denmark’s sensational journey to the semi-finals of the European Championships last summer, which has also made a point in his favour at Stamford Bridge.
However, Maehle’s solid displays have attracted attention not just from Chelsea but also from their London rivals West Ham United.
The Hammers too have registered their serious interest in the right-back, and could also offer a guaranteed game-time to the youngster.
While Chelsea may lose Azpilicueta this summer, they still have Reece James, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi fighting for a spot on the right flank. The Blues, as a result may not be able to provide Maehle with regular minutes.
Further on, Atalanta too have refused from entertaining any offers for their one-and-a-half year old acquisition. Chelsea may fond it more than difficult to sway the exciting prospect to Stamford Bridge.